The new hydrogen generation system has been launched during the California Air Resources Board Technology Expo and Symposium held at the University of California, Riverside, US.

Developed in partnership with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the STARS, the new generation system makes use of sunlight to convert natural gas and water into hydrogen and capture the carbon dioxide (CO2) to prevent carbon emissions.

The development is a part of SoCalGas’s efforts to increase hydrogen production, particularly for use along “California’s Hydrogen Highway,” a series of hydrogen-fueling stations.

The new generation system uses solar thermochemical advanced reactor system (STARS), which is designed to produce hydrogen through a thermochemical process. This process involves breaking down of natural gas and water, using solar energy, into hydrogen and CO2 in a process called steam methane reforming.

SoCalGas said that the STARS, following extensive testing, showed that it can be configured to produce hydrogen and other chemicals with no carbon emissions.

The firm said in statement: “These chemicals “trap” and use the carbon that would otherwise be emitted.  The carbon then can be used to make chemicals that become resins and plastic materials.”

SoCalGas business development senior director Yuri Freedman said: “We are always looking for innovative ways natural gas can be used to develop clean energy sources.

“Hydrogen is well positioned to play a vital role in California’s clean energy future through a broad range of applications, including the expanded use of fuel cells, long-term energy storage and other purposes.”

STARS president Robert Wegeng said: “STARS Corporation is a new, spin-off corporation, created for the purpose of commercializing this nascent technology.

“We hope to have a commercial demonstration operating in one to two years.”

The partners are currently conducting field testing for the hydrogen generation system at San Diego State University’s Brawley campus where it runs on solar and renewable electricity.

The firm noted that the set-up of the system, following demonstration, has resulted to be extremely efficient, with an energy-to-chemical energy conversion efficiency of more than 70%.

If operated around the clock using a combination of solar energy and renewable gas or electricity, the system will be able to produce about 25kg of hydrogen per day.

According to research, the system has potential to produce 100kg of hydrogen per day with a more advanced design.